Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Pic: DHNS
Bengaluru, Dec 10: Former Janata Dal (Secular) corporator from Hegganahalli was hacked to death in broad daylight by a gang inside a marriage hall on Rajagopalnagar Main Road in North Bengaluru, on Saturday December 9.
M B Govinde Gowda (58) had served as a corporator in the BBMP council from 2010 to 2015.
The incident occurred around 5 pm when Gowda was intercepted on the main road by a gang of around 15 men armed with machetes and knives. Gowda tried to dash into the Mathrushree Kalyana Mantapa but was chased by the gang and stabbed brutally in presence of bystanders.
Gowda was taken to a hospital in Sunkadakatte but succumbed to his injuries on the way.
Upon receiving information, Rajagopalanagar police rushed to the spot and conducted an inspection. A murder case has been opened after Gowda's family filed a complaint.
According to the police, political rivalry could be the main motive behind the murder.
Govinde Gowda and his wife, Varamahalakshmi (48) are the main accused in the killing of their political rival Chikkathimme Gowda in November 2016. Chikkathimme who was once Govinde Gowda's associate had helped him win 2010 elections but in 2015 had turned rival after joining BJP. Varamahalakshmi who had contested the polls on the JD(S) ticket in 2015 lost the elections.
Also it is said that due to Chikkathimme’s influence, the couple’s son Suresh Kumar distanced himself from his parents. Govinde and his wife had allegedly hired nine hitmen to kill Chikkathimme. They were released on bail about five months ago.
This murder escalated a series of violent attacks, and the police believe that Saturday’s attack could also have been done through hitmen.
"We have definite clues about the assailants and are tracking them. We are also verifying the exact number of assailants," said DCP (North) Chethan Rathor Singh.
As a precautionary measure, additional police personnel, including two platoons of KRSP, were deployed on Rajagopalnagar and Hegganahalli main roads.